Columbia College vs. Madonna University

Columbia College Chicago and Madonna University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Columbia College Chicago
Madonna University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Madonna University (63.4% admitted vs 89.5%). Typical SAT 980 vs N/A.
  • Cheaper after aid: Madonna University. Average net price is $18,373 vs $29,473 at Columbia College.
  • Graduation: Columbia College 41% vs Madonna University 42%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Columbia College $37,300 vs Madonna University $42,400 (median).
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Key differences

Columbia College Chicago Madonna University
Acceptance rate
Madonna University more selective
Columbia College89.5%
Madonna University63.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Madonna University higher
Columbia College-
Madonna University880-1080
Average net price
Madonna University $11,100 less
Columbia College$29,473
Madonna University$18,373
In-state tuition
Madonna University $5,648 less
Columbia College$34,088
Madonna University$28,440
Out-of-state tuition
Madonna University $5,648 less
Columbia College$34,088
Madonna University$28,440
Graduation rate
Madonna University +1 pts
Columbia College41%
Madonna University42%
Median earnings (10 years)
Madonna University +$5,100
Columbia College$37,300
Madonna University$42,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Columbia College 7,079
  • Madonna University 1,535
  • Admitted
  • Columbia College 6,333
  • Madonna University 973
  • Acceptance rate
  • Columbia College 89.5% Open
  • Madonna University 63.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Columbia College 15.1% Open
  • Madonna University 25.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Columbia College
  • Madonna University 980
  • Typical ACT score
  • Columbia College
  • Madonna University
  • Average high school GPA
  • Columbia College 3.41
  • Madonna University 3.35
  • Typical high school grades
  • Columbia College B+
  • Madonna University B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Columbia College Unavailable
  • Madonna University Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Columbia College
  • Madonna University Low
  • SAT range
  • Columbia College
  • Madonna University 880-1080
  • ACT range
  • Columbia College
  • Madonna University
  • Submit test scores
  • Columbia College Open admission
  • Madonna University Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Columbia College Aug 1, 2027
  • Madonna University
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Columbia College $34,088
  • Madonna University $28,440
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Columbia College $34,088
  • Madonna University $28,440
  • Room & board
  • Columbia College $20,629
  • Madonna University $12,840
  • Average net price
  • Columbia College $29,473
  • Madonna University $18,373
  • Average grant aid
  • Columbia College $22,780
  • Madonna University $22,471
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Columbia College 100%
  • Madonna University 98%
  • Graduation rate
  • Columbia College 41%
  • Madonna University 42%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Columbia College $37,300
  • Madonna University $42,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Columbia College 46%
  • Madonna University 48%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Columbia College $26,000
  • Madonna University $25,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Columbia College $268
  • Madonna University $258
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Columbia College 15:1
  • Madonna University 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Columbia College
    • Visual and Performing Arts (63%)
    • Communication (12%)
    • Business (9%)
    • Communications Technology (6%)
    • English and Literature (5%)
  • Madonna University
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (32%)
    • Health Professions (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Education (5%)
    • Work and Family Studies (4%)
  • Location
  • Columbia College Chicago, IL
  • Madonna University Livonia, MI
  • Setting
  • Columbia College Large City
  • Madonna University Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Columbia College 5,570
  • Madonna University 2,124
  • Type
  • Columbia College Private 4 Year
  • Madonna University Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Columbia College
  • Madonna University #689

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College Chicago in Chicago, IL with Madonna University in Livonia, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Columbia College Chicago is larger than Madonna University based on total student enrollment (5,570 students vs. 2,124 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Madonna University is in Livonia, MI (Small City setting).
  • Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Madonna University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College Chicago 15:1; Madonna University 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Madonna University are 37.8% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($12,840 vs. $20,629).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 19.9% higher at Columbia College than at Madonna University (about $5,648 more per year; $34,088 vs. $28,440).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than at Madonna University (100% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 1.4% larger than aid received by Madonna University students ($22,780 vs. $22,471).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are open admission at Columbia College, test optional at Madonna University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Columbia College average a 3.41 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at Madonna University (3.35).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at Columbia College vs. 25.2% at Madonna University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Madonna University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Madonna University graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($258 vs. $268).
  • More Madonna University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation (48% vs. 46%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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